New York City songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling's debut record Songs of Praise & Scorn sees its long-awaited release today via Mecca Lecca Recording Co. (you can stream the album in full this week via Spinner too). In celebration, Stelling is sharing the second single from the record, “Solar Flares,” which is now available as a free download on his bandcamp page.CPS hit the road in support of SOPAS this past weekend, setting out on his first full national tour which has him on the road through the beginning of May (all tour dates below). He's also playing several festivals along the way, including SXSW, Savannah Stopover Festival, Middle of the Map Festival, The Big Spill, and Rock The Park. Keep an eye out for even more tour dates, coming soon.Songs of Praise & Scorn features backing vocals from Julia Christgau and violin accompaniment by Cheyenne Marie Mize. Christopher’s burgeoning notoriety was born from his countless live performances over the last three years. Live, his shows range from whisper-quiet, to a wall of sound through his expertly finger-picked guitar melodies, incendiary howling vocals, and foot stomps set against his signature storytelling, which conjures up a vast and alluring palette of unearthly yet organic imagery.Having graced the stages of a hugely diverse gamut of venues, both small and large, on the reputation of his live performance alone, this record is sure to confirm his place among today’s most vital and relevant songwriters.Upcoming US Tour Dates2/21 - Charlottesville, VA - The Garage2/22 – Lexington, KY – Al’s Bar2/23 – Louisville, KY – 930 Listening Room2/24 – Memphis, TN – Folk Alliance (Memphis Room, 7:30pm)2/26 – Orlando, FL – The Social2/27 - Daytona Beach, FL – The Ocean Deck2/28 – Miami, FL – Bardot2/29 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits3/01 – Tampa, FL – Rock The Park (6:45pm)3/01 - Sarasota, FL - Cock and Bull (9pm)3/02 – Atlanta, GA – Wonderroot (w/ Ben Trickey)3/04 – Greensboro, NC – The Green Bean3/06 - Asheville, NC – The Get Down3/07 – Chapel Hill, NC – Nightlight3/08 – Birmingham, AL – Samford University3/09 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Stopover Festival3/10 – Knoxville, TN – Preservation Pub3/11 – Johnson City, TN – Acoustic Coffeehouse3/14 – Houston, TX – Super Happy Fun Land3/15 – Austin, TX – The Tap Room @ 6 (Showcase details, 9pm)3/18 - Austin, TX @ Lomography (ProxArt Showcase, 11am)3/18 – San Antonio, TX – The Korova (The Big Spill, 4pm)3/19 – Dallas, TX – Opening Bell Coffee3/20 – Lubbock, TX – Prairie Fire Theatre3/22 – Wichita, KS – Kirby’s Beer Store3/25 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge3/29 – Evergreen, CO – Little Bear Saloon3/30 – Boulder, CO – The Laughing Goat4/01 – Pueblo, CO – The Downtown Bar4/05 – Kansas, City, MO – Middle of the Map Festival4/06 – Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews4/07 – Madison, WI – Project Lodge4/08 – Milwaukee, WI – Tonic Tavern4/10 – Chicago, IL – Ace Bar4/13 – Butler, PA – Butler Art Center4/15 – Buffalo, NY – The Vault4/17 – Rochester, NY – The Bug Jar4/18 – Ithaca, NY – Culture Shock4/19 – New Haven, CT – Café Nine4/20 – Boston, MA - TBD4/22 – Biddeford, ME – The Oak & The Axe
